The Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development released U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates on April 23, 2025, detailing employment and unemployment data for Wisconsin’s metropolitan areas, major cities, and counties for March 2025.
Metropolitan Areas: Preliminary nonseasonally adjusted data indicate unemployment rates decreased in 11 of Wisconsin’s 13 metropolitan statistical areas from February to March 2025. The Milwaukee-Waukesha area remained unchanged, while Eau Claire saw an increase. Over the year, unemployment rates rose in 12 metropolitan areas, with one area unchanged.
Municipalities: Among Wisconsin’s 35 largest cities, preliminary March 2025 unemployment rates held steady in 12 cities compared to February. Rates dropped in 19 cities and rose in four. Year-over-year, 23 cities reported higher unemployment rates, five remained unchanged, and seven saw declines.
Counties: Unemployment rates fell in 54 of Wisconsin’s 72 counties from February to March 2025, remained steady in seven, and increased in 11. Sawyer County hit a historic low unemployment rate of 5.2%. Over the year, rates decreased in four counties, stayed the same in 11, and increased in 57.
Raw data available at Wisconomy.com.
